01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, June 11, 2006

Barry Bonds missed his fourth straight game with a sore left side and most likely won't play until San Francisco goes on the road next week.

"He wanted to play today but the trainers don't feel he should play," manager Felipe Alou said yesterday before the Giants faced Pittsburgh. "They don't believe he should take a chance, not today, not tomorrow."

Bonds has played just once since hitting home run No. 716 last Monday against Florida and was a late scratch from the lineup because of cold weather Friday. An in-game evaluation of Bonds, coupled with the team having an off day tomorrow, persuaded the Giants' medical staff decided to extend Bonds' time off until the team plays at Arizona on Tuesday.

"With three more days, that (injury) should heal completely," Alou said. "The pinch-hit thing is questionable today, maybe tomorrow."

Bonds brushed aside questions about his health before yesterday's game.

"I feel good," Bonds said while making his way through the clubhouse. "I'm breathing. Don't you feel good?"

ROUNDUP

NUNEZ DEMOTED: The Kansas City Royals optioned right-hander Leo Nunez to Triple-A Omaha yesterday to make room on the roster for pitcher Todd Wellemeyer, claimed off waivers from Florida on Friday. The 22-year-old Nunez was called up for the second time this season on June 4, but did not appear in any games with the Royals. He pitched in one game earlier this season, allowing one run in 2 1/3 innings. Wellemeyer was 0-2 with a 5.48 E.R.A. in 18 relief appearances with the Marlins.

GUILLEN ACTIVATED: The Washington Nationals activated outfielder Jose Guillen off the 15-day disabled list in time for yesterday's home game against Philadelphia. Guillen was put on the disabled list May 27 with a strained left hamstring. He's batted .212 with five home runs and 19 runs batted in over 39 games this season, his 10th in Major League Baseball. Guillen hit two homers in three games on a rehabilitation assignment with Washington's Class-A Potomac minor-league affiliate. To make room for Guillen on their active roster, the Nationals optioned outfielder Mike Vento to Triple-A New Orleans.

LIEBERTHAL ON DL: Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hip yesterday, the second time he has gone on the DL this season. The move came before Philadelphia's game against Washington and was retroactive to June 6, when Lieberthal was injured in Arizona. Lieberthal, who was on the disabled list from May 5-29 with a bruised left knee, said it would probably be a week before he could start running. Chris Coste took Lieberthal's place in the Phillies' lineup yesterday.

CLARK LEAVES GAME: Brewers center fielder Brady Clark left last night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals after injuring his right shoulder. Clark grounded into a double play to end the second inning and Gabe Gross took over in the field in the top of the third. Also yesterday, the Brewers recalled right-hander Carlos Villanueva from Double-A Huntsville and placed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa on the 15-day disabled list. De La Rosa, who started Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, developed a blister on the middle finger of his left hand and left the game.